Podnah’s Pit Barbecue - Portland, Oregon

Rating: 5 

With the lovely Oregon springs we have in Portland & their unpredictable weather, it is nice to have a “go to” BBQ place, especially when you can’t use your grill in a down pour or an unexpected late snow storm.   Podnah's Pit is a great solution to these sometimes far too often northwest occurrences. 

The first time I went to Podnah’s, they were located in a very small building on Prescott with just a few tables, my family took up half the place, and there was only 9 of us.  But they have since moved to 16^th and Killingsworth, and have a big dining room with a great open family atmosphere.   The pictures on the website are from the old place so don’t let that deter you from going.  Podhah’s also has a small bar area, if you like Ginger Beer try the Texas Mule, Ginger Beer – Vodka & Lime.  It accrual taste like a really good margarita and is one of those drinks that will get you in trouble.

The wait staff is great and knowledgeable about the menu, and the cooks are super cool too.  I was really happy when one of the cooks told me that I could have the ribs, which are divine.

 

 

They were very helpful with my allergies and pulled out the recipes and we looked at them together to make sure those pesky red round things weren’t in what I wanted.  So just ask and I know they will accommodate you anyway they can.  If you need to bring food in because of the allergy you should be fine, they are very understanding an down to earth here. 

This is even a place that I can go and have breakfast, which is a rarity, Trout Hash (less eggs of course) or the Chilaquiles Rojos fit the bill just great.  I think there are plenty of choices, for all meals of the day, which should allow dining for most allergy restrictions. 

So pack up your family an appetite and head on out for some of the BBQ in the city.
Food-wise, Services-wise and Allergy Awareness-wise they rank 5 out of 5. 

Now the Details:

Value - price:

BBQ is never cheap a ¼ rack (3 ribs) is $12 but this includes 2 sides and cornbread so it is a good value.  The trick I have learned is to make my own combo, I get two meats and then a side, which can be about $10 and more than enough to fill me up.  Watch the special board at the entrance too, when I was there last week ribs were $1.75 instead of $2.50, great value and 3 is a lot, as they are pretty big.  They also had a meatloaf sandwich that I was told was super good.

Tipping:

I usually leave between 20%-25%

Best hours to go:

Since Podnah’s moved I have only been for lunch, and usually it isn’t super full so that is a good time I know for sure.  Parking is an issue as there is only street parking and some of that is on a residential street.  So do take that into consideration.

Tips:

Be prepared to hunt for the parking.

Extras or places that are close by:

You can hop over to Alberta Street a few blocks south and you will find a nice little shopping district with pubs, galleries and shops.  Alberta street also has a lot of street fairs, so Podnah’s could be a place to go before or after so you could dine away from the crowds.

There is also a New Seasons on 33^rd and Killingsworth.

Restaurant info:

Podnah’s Pit Barbecue
1625 NE Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97211
503.281.3700

Hours:

Breakfast:
     Sat-Sun 9am-1pm
Lunch:
     Mon-Fri 11am-5pm
     Sat-Sun noon-5pm
Dinner:
     Sun-Thu 5pm-9pm
     Fri-Sat 5pm-10pm

Por Que No & 3 Doors Down- Portland, Oregon

Rating: Both 5’s hands down (ratings are between 0 - 5)

Sorry for the long delay between postings but been a little distracted.  So for your patience you get a twofer today, one that is perfect for a beautiful spring day (hope that is tomorrow as it sure isn’t today).

Por Que No & Mississippi Ave

I did this little day trip for spring break a few weeks ago, with a very special young friend, Bailey.  We had a great time, ate too much and spent just a little on shopping.  We started our day at Por que No  it is on Mississippi Ave, which is a great little street to window shop on.  Por que No makes the best tacos in Portland that I have had hands down, actually maybe the best anywhere.  The selection is great and I have tried them all, even the vegetarian with beets, which I don’t like.  The place is really small, 7 tables and a bar with 4 stools (think) in the main building, with 5 tables in the annex.  There are also 4 picnic tables outside on the sidewalk.  If you are going for lunch be there early, by noon there is a line down the block.  Make sure you check out the specials menu above the bar.  And if you dare try the Sangria or one of their other special drinks both alcoholic and non.

 

If you tell the staff when you order about your allergies, they will take great care of you.  If you have to bring in food for your kids that shouldn’t be an issue, this group is so down to earth and super friendly.  Oh this is a walkup counter to order and then you take your seat, then they bring the food to you.  Make sure to order enough the first time if it is lunch time, as you won’t want to wait in line for seconds!!!  This is a great place to bring the kids, especially on a nice day, you can sit outside and people watch, or the picnic tables in the annex are great too.  The value here is great, tacos are $3 and worth every penny.

Once you are done with your lunch, do take a stroll up Mississippi Ave, there as some really great shops like:

Gypsy Chic  Great little store and my new favorite place to shop.
Zahara Boutique This is the sister store to Gypsy Chic, they have cool shoes.   
Gumbo  Lots of fun gifts
The Meadow How can you go wrong with a shop that sells Wine, Chocolate, Salts & Flowers.  
Pastaworks  This is one of the best places in the city to get Italian foods, the selection of cheeses is outstanding with lots of non cow choices, they also have a nice selection of meats, wines and fresh pasta to name a few.  They also have non gluten pasta.  If you miss out on this one, there is one on Hawthorne too!
Little Big Burger If you plan your walk right you can end it with a great root beer from this great little place, they have 6 things on the menu and one of them is a float with vanilla bean ice cream.  Yummy! 

If you have lunch at 11:30ish you can eat, walk the street have your root beer float and be done by 2ish.  I always park at the south end of Mississippi just south of Fremont, usually don’t have to parallel park down at the end.

3 Doors Down & Hawthorne Blvd

Once Bailey and I had finished our first walk of the morning we headed off to Hawthorne to do more window shopping and have dinner with my good friend Amy, Bailey’s mom.  When the three of us are out on the town we like to go to different types of places to expose Bailey to the vast wonders of the culinary world.  This time I picked 3 Doors Down a nice little Bistro “3 doors” north of Hawthorne on 37^th.  (I usually park in the Fred Meyer parking lot and walk down a block)

The menu changes on a regular basis so check the website.  The food is great, the staff knowledgeable and will make allergy substitution with no problem.  It is a nice place but one that kids would easily feel welcome in.  They have wine and a drink of the day on tap.   The food is fresh northern Italian with a Pacific NW influence.  

If you take a walk on Hawthorne before your dinner and you finish a little early have a glass a wine at the Hawthorne location of Pastaworks, it is bigger than the one on Mississippi so it carries a lot more yummies.  Evoe is the little restaurant off the right of the cash registers, prefect for a break.

There are so many cute little stores along the street here are a small few:

The Gold Door Great jewelry shop right across the street for 3 doors down.
Powell’s Books need I say more
Powell’s Home and Garden yep even more books
There is a great hat shop, but I don’t remember the name of it, it is right across the street from
Kids at Heart a great toy store
There are a ton more just enjoy the afternoon and stroll along, but watch that pocket book. 

Both Por Que No & 3 Doors Down rate the same  Food-wise, Services-wise and Allergy Awareness-wise they rank 5 out of 5.   Have a great day doing both walks or maybe just one.

Restaurant info:

Por Que No

3524 N Mississippi Ave
Portland Or 97215
503.467.4149

4635 SE Hawthorne Blvd (yep there is one on Hawthorne too!)

Portland Or 97215
503.954.3138

Hours

Sun-Weds 11am – 9:30pm
Thu –Sat 11am – 10pm

3 Doors Down

1429 SE 37^th Ave
Portland Or 97215
503.236.6886

Hours

Tue-Sat 5pm – 9:30pm
Sun 4pm – 9pm
Closed Mon